I live in Wartrace, Tenn., the heart of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, and we moved here for the love of the walking horse.

We had a couple of padded horses, as well as a spotted saddle horse with a trainer known for soring, until we had an epiphany and decided what we were paying into wasn’t worth it — for us or for the walking horse.

There is no way a padded horse or heavy-shod horse can perform the Big Lick or an exaggerated gait without the use of chemicals and chains or, in the case of heavy-shod horses, pressure shoeing. As a previous owner, I know the truth, though those in the industry are trying to preserve the soring status quo.

I have reached out to Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander and Reps. Diane Black and Scott DesJarlais to express my support of the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act, HR 1518/S 1406. It disheartens me that they have not yet cosponsored this important anti-crime, anti-cruelty, anti-corruption legislation.

In large part, these legislators’ constituents are firmly opposed to inhumane training, and want to see the PAST Act passed. Why won’t they stand up for their constituents, and for the voiceless horses subjected to soring in Tennessee?